SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Looking for some ideas as to why my entire system pressure would be low. I'm not sure how long this has been going on because the sprinklers usually only run while I'm at work. But I just resodded a large section of my back yard, so I set those two zones to come on every day and noticed the pressure was barely enough to pop up the heads. So I turned on every zone and walked around checking it all out. Every zone has the same issue. Heads don't pop all the way up and only spray a couple feet instead of 6-8 feet like they should. One zone has four rotaries that normally shoot 15-20 ft and only three will stay up at a time and those only shoot about 10 feet.

I'm handy with quite a few things, but have only replaced heads on my sprinklers. I don't really understand valves and regulators and the like. I'll probably end up calling a service tech eventually, but I'm hoping to get some info first so that I can at least check out the simpler things first, and so that I will have the knowledge to understand what a service tech says to not get taken advantage of.

Please let me know if I need to provide any additional info. Sprinklers run off city water and I'm not having any other pressure issues, either inside the house or at my outside spigots. I've been in this home for 5 years and never noticed any issues with the sprinklers before this. Home is 11 years old and I'm pretty sure the system is about the same age.

Thanks!

Quoted from "Wet_Boots"

get a pressure gauge and start taking measurements

Sorry, but I don't understand how this is helpful. I already know that I have low pressure. I'm looking for suggestions on what could cause this problem and what maintenace may need to be performed, so I can determine if this is something I want to try and tackle myself, or call a professional. I'm currently fairly ignorant regarding the intricacies of sprinkler systems and came here looking to gain some knowledge.

Anyone have any ideas?

Quoted from "hi.todd"

Check to make sure the water meter is open all the way. If it is a meter? Have you had any plumbers out recently? They may have not opened the meter all the way.



Check your backflow device to make sure the handles are open all the way.



Walk around your property looking for a mainline leak while the system is on.



That is enough for now.



Good Luck

Thanks. Good suggestions. I had the main turned off a couple months ago when I replaced a shower valve. I'll double check to make sure I turned it back on all the way, but I think I did and I'm not having any problems in the rest of the house.

When I looked at the backflow area, there were two handles and both were on all the way.

There are no obvious leaks in the system. I think I would notice with the horrible draught we're having in Texas right now. I do have a layout diagram from the installer that the previous owner left, so I have a general idea where the pipes run. I will do another walk around this weekend.

Any thing else I should look for or check out?